Assessing Awareness and Adoption of Green Policies and Programs for Sustainable Development: Perspectives from Construction Practitioners in Nigeria
Oluwayinka Seun Oke, John Aliu, Oluwafemi Matthew Duduyegbe, Ayodeji Emmanuel Oke
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to assess the level of awareness and the extent of adoption of green construction policies and programs among construction practitioners in Nigeria. This was carried out to identify the gaps in knowledge and practice and provide recommendations for enhancing the implementation of green construction practices in the region. Through a comprehensive literature review, 20 green construction policies and programs were identified. These policies were used to develop a structured questionnaire, which was distributed to a sample of construction practitioners, including architects, engineers, builders, and quantity surveyors. The Shapiro–Wilk test and the Kruskal–Wallis H test were used to assess the normality of data and to compare the differences between groups, respectively. The most striking finding from the analysis is a significant disconnect between awareness and adoption. While professionals in Ondo State (study site) are generally familiar with green building policies, implementation lags. This underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to close this gap and expedite the city’s transition towards sustainable construction practices. This research supports the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), and Climate Action (SDG 13). By advancing green construction practices, this study contributes to these global objectives, highlighting their importance and applicability beyond the local context of Akure.